Vandals who stole brass work off a newly restored fountain in Halifax’s Public Gardens have apparently had a change of heart.

Police say the missing metal was mysteriously returned after someone pitched a cardboard box containing four of the stolen pieces over the garden’s fence.

Halifax Regional Police Sgt. Nancy Rudback explains the pieces were in the same condition as when they went missing.

“The box was returned anonymously, but there was a small apology note to the Public Gardens inside the box,” she says. “I think basically it said ‘Sorry Public Gardens’. Pretty sure, yes.”

Sometime overnight on Monday, thieves removed several gilt pieces including a lion head and some leaf work from the Victoria Jubilee Fountain.

The fountain will be officially unveiled Saturday evening as part of the Nocturne Festival.